2018 Honda CB Shine SP launched

We were hoping to see the upgraded Honda Shine SP at the Auto Expo after Honda declared its plans to display its refreshed lineup for 2018. Surprisingly, the updated Shine models and the Livo were not there. Now, however, Honda has noiselessly launched the 2018 Honda CB Shine SP at a price of Rs.62, 032 for the drum variant and Rs.64, 518 for the disc variant. A CBS variant of the bike is also accessible for Rs.66, 508 (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). To put things into viewpoint, the standard variant of the older CB Shine SP retailed for Rs 59,901 (ex-showroom Delhi). This is an upsurge of Rs.2, 131 over the outgoing base drum variant. The bike has received only minor updates and it leftovers unaffected mechanically.

Starting with the updates, the 2018 Honda CB Shine SP now gets a revised tank design with extended shrouds along with new body decals. Its semi-digital instrument console now includes a service indicator and a clock, along with all the other essentials. Apart from these changes, the motorcycle remains the same. It continues to draw power from the same BSIV-compliant 124.73cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. This is the same mill that powers the Honda CB Shine as well. It produces 10.30PS of power at 7,500rpm and 10.30Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. The transmission on the CB Shine SP is handled by a 5-speed gearbox. The motorbike uses a diamond type frame, which is suspended upon telescopic forks at the front and dual shock absorbers at the back. Braking is taken care of by either a 240mm disc or a 130mm drum brake at the front and a 130mm drum unit at the back. Its 18-inch wheels are shod with 80/100 section tubeless tyres.

The 2018 Honda CB Shine SP goes up against the 2018 Bajaj Discover 125, which retails for Rs.53,171 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the base variant and the Hero Glamour, which costs Rs.59,946 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the drum brake variant. However, we do feel a price hike of over Rs 2000 demands at least a few more features. Especially since the Bajaj motorcycle produces the same amount of power and also gets the added benefits of LED DRLs at a much affordable price. Will Honda be able to assert its dominance in the 125cc commuter segment with these updates? We will have to wait to find out.